- The partnership focuses on hands-on career exploration in construction, transportation, and manufacturing, helping children develop critical technical and problem-solving skills.
- By integrating real-world automation technology into play-based learning, ABB and Marbles are preparing the next generation of engineers and innovators in North Carolina and surrounding region.
ABB today announced the continuation of its decade-long partnership with Marbles Kids Museum through a strategic investment in the museum’s new Futuropolis exhibit, an immersive experience encouraging hands-on play and career exploration in construction, transportation and advanced manufacturing. As part of this latest initiative, ABB has donated a GoFA™ collaborative robot, bringing advanced automation technology and manufacturing innovation to the workforce of the future.
This project with Marbles marks a total investment of more than $1.4 million in the museum since 2014, when ABB’s Kid Grid Electrification Exhibit opened. ABB remains dedicated to the Marbles community and sparking interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, advanced manufacturing and automation.
While the cutting-edge GoFA robot serves as a centerpiece for the advanced manufacturing portion of Futuropolis, the partnership focuses primarily on equipping the next generation with the foundational skills required for the modern workforce. Through the Futuropolis exhibit, children will engage in immersive, hands-on learning that translates complex concepts into tangible career paths in construction, transportation, and manufacturing.
“Our long-standing partnership with Marbles Kids Museum is rooted in a shared, genuine dedication to STEM education and the growth of our community,” said Kelly Kling, Country Holding Officer at ABB. “By introducing advanced automation through play-based learning, we hope to set a foundation that stays with children for a lifetime. Beyond donating the Robot, we’re investing in a sustained effort to inspire the next generation of innovators to dream big and explore the meaningful careers that will shape their future.”
The Futuropolis exhibit allows young learners to dream big about their futures and explore:
- Collaborative problem solving: Working alongside automation technology to understand how humans and robots interact to solve real-world challenges.
- Career readiness: Visualizing themselves in high-demand roles through play-based exploration of the Triangle region’s growing high-tech and industrial sectors.
- Technical literacy: Gaining early exposure to the mechanics of manufacturing and the electrification systems that power our world.
“ABB’s long-term commitment has been instrumental in our mission to inspire children through hands-on play,” said Jonathan Frederick, Chief Executive Officer at Marbles Kids Museum. “From the original Kid Grid exhibit to this new frontier in Futuropolis, ABB is helping us provide the tools and inspiration for kids to imagine themselves as the builders and leaders of the future.”
A private groundbreaking event took place this week at Marbles. The Futuropolis Exhibit will open to the public in late 2026. For more information, visit marbleskidsmuseum.org.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex)is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
Marbles Marbles Kids Museum, located in downtown Raleigh, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to spark imagination, discovery and learning through play. Since opening in 2007, Marbles has served millions of children and families with hands-on exhibits, award-winning programs, oneof-a-kind special events and immersive IMAX showings. Marbles is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm and on Thursdays until 7pm. Member early entry is from 9am-10am. For more information on Marbles Kids Museum, visit https://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/.
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